Siem Reap, Cambodia – The nonprofit Cambodian Self Help Demining, which clears land mines and unexploded ordnance across the country, faces a funding shortfall as donors prioritize active conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and other war zones.
En Poy, a former cattle herder who lost an arm and an eye after stepping on a rusty mine, now leads the organization’s education program. He says the group’s work remains unfinished and could stop if donations dry up.
Shift in donor priorities
International aid for humanitarian demining totaled $4.3 billion from 2020‑2024, with the United States, Germany, the European Union, Norway and Switzerland providing the bulk of the funds. However, recent crises have drawn a larger share of that money. In 2024, Ukraine alone received a third of all demining assistance, surpassing any other country, while Yemen, Gaza, Syria, Sudan and Afghanistan also saw increased allocations.
Consequently, Southeast Asian projects have seen a decline. Germany is reportedly considering cutting foreign aid in favor of defense spending for Ukraine, and the United States’ aid to the region has fluctuated, especially after the Trump administration’s 90‑day freeze on foreign assistance and the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Impact on Cambodia
Since the wars of the 1970s, Cambodia remains one of the world’s most land‑mined nations. The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority reports that between 1992 and 2025, about 1.2 million mines and 3.2 million other explosive remnants were discovered, leaving roughly 1,749 sq km (675 sq mi) still uncleared.
Land mines continue to claim lives, with roughly 90,000 deaths and nearly double that number of injuries across Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Children account for more than 40 % of civilian casualties, often mistaking devices for toys.
Demining is a slow, labor‑intensive process measured in meters cleared per day. Teams first survey and map contaminated zones, then use metal detectors and specialized equipment to locate and destroy explosives. Weather conditions frequently halt progress.
Local voices sound the alarm
“If donors stop funding my organization, I would definitely be sad because we haven’t finished our job,” Poy said. “There are still a lot of landmines left over.”
Bill Morse, president of the Landmine Relief Fund, warned that the group may have to suspend operations by September due to the funding gap. “If people want to pull their money away, that’s a decision that they have to make, but when they do, people will die here,” he added.
U.S. policy and future aid
In July, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced $130 million in demining assistance for Southeast Asia, though details were not released. A State Department spokesperson emphasized that American assistance is “not charity” and serves U.S. interests worldwide.
Advocates argue that inconsistent aid undermines trust built after decades of reconciliation between former adversaries. Nguyen Khac Giang, a fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS‑Yusof Ishak Institute, noted that last year’s freeze weakened Hanoi’s confidence in U.S. commitments.
What lies ahead
With new mines being planted in ongoing conflicts such as Myanmar’s civil war and border skirmishes between Cambodia and Thailand, the need for sustained demining funding remains urgent. Without reliable support, the dangerous legacy of past wars will continue to impede infrastructure projects, education facilities and the safety of families throughout the region.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
